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Introduction

To address climate change successfully New Zealand has to:

  • comply with and support the development of international climate change agreements

  • play its part in reducing net greenhouse gas emissions

  • adapt to the inevitable physical impacts of climate change.

Local authorities have a key role to play in New Zealand’s response to this challenge. Local authorities are currently reviewing their Long-term Council Community Plans (LTCCPs) which will outline their activities over the period from 2009 to 2019. Climate change will have direct and indirect implications for local authorities over this time period.

By taking a strategic approach in this round of LTCCP reviews, local authorities and their communities will be well positioned to adapt to the effects of climate change and respond positively to the incentives provided by the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and other climate change mitigation policies.

This publication gives an overview of how you can incorporate climate change into your LTCCP and provides you with links to more detailed information and guidance.

How might the climate change?

New Zealand’s climate is already changing. Projections of New Zealand’s future climate indicate:

  • temperatures increase on average 1oC by 2040 and 2oC by 2090

  • rainfall has a pattern of increases in the west (up to 5 percent by 2040 and 10 percent by 2090) and decreases in the east and north (exceeding 5 percent in places by 2090). There is marked seasonality in the rainfall distribution pattern changes

  • sea-levels will rise

  • decreased frosts

  • increased frequency of high temperatures

  • increased frequency of extreme daily rainfalls

  • higher snow lines and possible reduced snow coverage

  • possible increase in strong winds

  • wetter in the west and south, drier in the north and east

  • increase in the frequency and severity of extreme events (eg, heavy rainfall, storm surges, drought and very high temperatures).

Key principles for responding to climate change

Local government is required to operate under a range of principles that are set out in law or have evolved through good practice and case law. These principles should also be kept in mind when adapting to the effects of climate change. The key principles are:

  • sustainability

  • consideration of the foreseeable needs of future generations

  • avoidance, remedy or mitigation of adverse effects

  • adoption of a precautionary / cautious approach

  • the ethic of stewardship / kaitakitanga

  • consultation and participation

  • financial responsibility

  • liability

  • resilient communities.

 

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